System requirements depend on whether the computer will function as a test station or testware development platform, and if it will run the DIOEasy application. Test and development functions are usually combined in one PC to permit prototype development.
A DIO test station computer should:
● Have sufficient PC slots and power to accommodate all necessary GT515x DIO boards (one to eight boards per domain).
● Run Windows 3.1/95/98 or NT 3.51/4.0/2000 or higher with at least 16 Mbytes of memory.
● Have installed DIOEasy, 32-bit Windows operating systems such as Windows 95 or Windows NT is required. Windows 3.1 is not supported.
● Have a DIO driver (DLL) installed.
Note: A GT515x with 2M or 4M SIMMs does not meet ISA profile specifications. Ensure there is a slot to accommodate the following: 2M SIMM clearances is 1.000 in., 4M SIMM clearances is 1.185 in.
A testware development platform requires a program development environment (for example ATEasy, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Power Builder, etc.) and the DIO driver. Additional resources needed are minor. Neither DIO circuit boards nor DIOEasy software is mandatory for testware development.
A DIO testware development computer should:
● Have DIOEasy Version 2 is highly recommended, though not required.
● Have a development platform environment to compile executables for the test station (see the Software User's Guide).
● Have a DIO driver (DLL) installed.
DIOEasy can be used to run a DIO system without programming; develop, view and edit vector files; view results files; and configure and initialize domain boards. DIOEasy requires Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51 or higher. It is not supported under Windows 3.x.
Power supplies in most PCs generally have limited current capacity at negative voltages. The low ampere capacity at -5 or -12 VDC affects the ability of some I/O Modules to deliver sufficient current to the UUT.
A GT5900 Carrier board can be used to supply the necessary current. This ISA board contains a built-in power inverter that can provide higher current at negative voltages. Power is cabled from the carrier’s polarized 4-pin connector (J14) to the I/O Module’s external power input. See the GT I-O Modules and Interfaces User's Guide (ISA) for more information (including other uses for the carrier board).